Balancing Shadow and Light: Autumn Equinox Reflections (2 Rituals Inside)
The leaves are whispering their secrets again.
Squirrels dart, dogs shed their summer coats, and the air carries that unmistakable crispness—an invitation to prepare for the darker half of the year.
The Autumn Equinox passed on September 22. This ancient marker of balance—light and dark held in equal measure—always stirs something in me. It reminds me that shadow work and light work go hand-in-hand. It’s not about banishing one or clinging to the other, but about learning to walk with both.
Earlier this season, I joined a community challenge called #75Soft, created by Gina Luker. It reminded me that transformation doesn’t always come from grand gestures—it often comes from the small, consistent rituals we tend each day. That insight carried me into the Autumn Equinox, where I began shaping my own practice rooted in seasonal wisdom: balance, harvest, release, and preparation.
Bridging August to Now
Since August, when I shared about our beloved dog Wilder’s passing, I’ve been moving through a haze of grief and brain fog. It slowed me down in ways I couldn’t control, and honestly, I needed the pause. Now, as the season turns toward balance and reflection, I’m noticing how that stillness—unwanted though it was—prepared me to meet the Autumn Equinox differently. Not with perfect clarity, but with gentleness for myself.
My Story of Breaking and Balancing
Last year I reached a point where the weight of teaching, caregiving, and always putting myself last became too heavy to carry. My body and spirit simply refused to keep going the way they had. Though it felt like breaking, it was really an invitation—to slow down, to listen differently, and to discover that caring for myself is not weakness but a deeper kind of strength.
The lesson I carried forward is this: tending to small daily practices can become an anchor through change. Whether in shadow or in light, these rituals remind me that even the smallest act of kindness toward myself is also an act of resilience.
What This Season Asks of You
The Equinox invites us to pause. To notice where our shadows lie and how our light shows up. To ask:
- Where am I being called to soften?
- Where am I being called to stand firm?
- What am I gathering in from this year’s harvest?
- What am I ready to let fall away?
- How will I prepare myself for the darker months ahead?
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up gently, consistently, with the willingness to weave your life anew.
✨ Simple Equinox Spells
These small, symbolic actions bring your reflections into your hands. Choose one if it speaks to you:
🍎 Apple Star Spell — Balance & Harvest
Cut an apple crosswise to reveal the five-pointed star where the seeds live. The star represents balance—earth, air, fire, water, and spirit—and the seeds symbolize your potential. Eat the apple slowly with gratitude for what you’ve harvested, imagining planting the seeds of what you wish to carry forward.
🍃 Bay Leaf Release Spell — Release & Prepare
Write on a dried bay leaf (or a small slip of paper) something you’re ready to release. Use black ink for endings or red ink for fiery transmutation. Bay leaves are linked to protection, clarity, and purification. Hold the leaf to your heart, breathe deeply, then either:
– Burn it safely to surrender it to spirit.
– Or tear it into tiny shreds and compost it, returning its energy to the earth.
Burning transforms; shredding recycles. Both release.
🍂 Your Autumn Invitation
- Free Gift: [Download the Autumn Reflection Journal →]
A printable 2-page PDF with guided prompts and the Apple Star + Bay Leaf rituals, designed as a sacred seasonal journal page. - Soundtrack: [Listen to the Autumn Equinox Soundtrack →]
A playlist of music for balance, grounding, and renewal.
Because balance isn’t something we stumble upon. It’s something we practice, softly, every day.
💡 Closing thought:
The Equinox reminds us: shadow is not the enemy of light. They are dance partners, and you are the choreographer.
🍂 Autumn Equinox Rituals FAQ
When should I do these Autumn Equinox rituals?
You can practice these rituals on the day of the Equinox itself or in the surrounding days when the balance of light and dark is still close. Many people find the week before and after the Equinox a powerful window for reflection, journaling, and grounding practices.
Do I need special tools for the Apple Star Spell?
Not at all—just a fresh apple and a moment of intention. The star at the apple’s center is a natural reminder that balance and potential are always present, even in everyday things.
What kind of bay leaf should I use for the Bay Leaf Release Spell?
Dried bay leaves, like the ones found in most kitchens, work beautifully. If you don’t have one, you can substitute with a small slip of paper and still focus on the act of release.
How do I know what to release during the Equinox?
Pay attention to what feels heavy or out of alignment. The Equinox is a natural time to let go of habits, thought patterns, or even clutter that no longer serves you. If you feel resistance, that’s often a sign you’ve found something worth releasing.
Can I do both rituals together?
Absolutely. Many people like to begin with the Apple Star Spell to center gratitude and harvest energy, then follow with the Bay Leaf Release Spell to clear space for what comes next. Together, they create a full circle of balance, release, and renewal.